Combined tone arm and electrical pick-up



Jan. 7, 1930. E. R. F. JOHNSON ET AL COMBINED TONE ARM AND ELECTRICAL PICK Filed April 21, 1926 I M w III/I Jam-m3 Patented Jan. 7, 1930' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELDRIDGE R. F. JOHNSON, 0F MOORESTOWN', AND S ELDEN T. WILLIAMS, 0]! WOOD- IBUR Y, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNORS T0 VICTOR TALKING MACHINE COMPANY, A. COR

IPORATION OF NEW JERSEY COMBINED TONE ARM AND ELECTRICAL PICK-UP Application filed April 21,

This invention relates to talking machines, and more particularly to talking machines adapted to reproduce a record both mechanically and electrically.

Oneobject of the invention is to provide a talking machine with means whereby a rec- 0rd may be reproduced either mechanically or electricall at the option of the operator.

Another object is to mount the mechanical and electrical reproducingmechanisms on a mechanisms so that the respective tracking members occupy substantially the same playing position. I

A further object is to provide means where by both reproducing mechanisms may be supported on asingle swinging member so that their respective styli will engage the record groove at the same point.

One embodiment of the invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but it is to be expressly understood that these drawings are notto be construed as a definition of theinvention, reference being had to the appended claims for that purpose.

In the drawings-- Fig. 1 is a view showing one embodiment of the invention; 7

Fig. 2 is a plan View of 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail view in section showing the carrying arm; and

Fig. 4 is a detail View in section showin another form of carrying arm.

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts,1 indicates the record support of a talking machine of any suitable type, having any suitable record 2 thereon. Said talking machine is provided with a tone arm 3 of any suitable type, shown as pivoted about a vertiisae, Serial No. 103,635.

5 pivot'ally secured thereon in any suitable Way, preferably by means of the usual gooseneck 6. The sound box 5 carries any suitable stylus 7 for engagement with the record trace,

and is adapted to occupy either the non-playng posltion, shown in full lines in the drawings, or the playing position, shown in dotted l1nes,by reason of the pivotal mounting afforded by said gooseneck 6.

In conformity with the present invention, means are provided for'plvotally mounting an electrical-pick-up device, of any suitable type on the tone arm 3, preferably in such a manner that its stylus will engage the record groove at substantially the same point as the stylus 7 of the sound box 5. An electrical pick-up. device 8, having a stylus 9 for engagement with the record trace is adaptedto transmit the mechanical vi rations received from the sound groove electrically to any suitable apparatus for reproducing sound. In the form shown, the pick-up de vice 8 is supported on a carrying arm 10 in any suitable manner, as by means of an annular projection 11 on one end of said carrying arm which engages the neck of said pick-up device, and suitable means are provided for pivoting said carrying arm to the tone arm. As shown, a bracket 12 is suitably secured to the tone arm, as by means of screws 13 said bracket having a centrally arranged cylindrical projection 14 which en gages an opening 15 in the other end of the carrying arm 10. Said projection is preferably interiorly threaded to receive a screw 16 which holds the carrying arm in position. The pick-up device 8 may thus be swung by means of the carrying arm 10 from the playing position, shown in full lines in the drawings, to the non-playing position, shown in dotted lines, and the bracket 12 is preferably provided with a suitable stop otal axis.

The sound box gooseneck 6 and the carry ing arm 10 are pivoted about axes angularly related to the longitudinal direction of the tone arm, and said axes are preferably lateradjacent its other en ally spaced so that, when the pick-up device is in playing position, the stylus 9 will occupy substantially the same position as the stylus 7 of the sound box when the latter 1s in playing position. The two styli thus alternatively engage the sound groove of the record at substantially the same point at every position of the tone arm and follow the same are of travel about the pivot 4 while the record is being played.

The pick-up device may be electrically connected with suitable reproducing apparatus by means of the leads 18. Preferably the carrying arm 10 is rovided at one end with an opening 19 whic is disposed central- 1y of the annular rojection 11 and extends therethrough to tie ick-up device 8, and

with asimilar 0 ening 20, the two openings being connected y a groove 21 on the inner face of said-carrymg arm. The loads 18 may be conducted through the opening 19 and housed in groove 21, being then conducted through opening 20 to a suitable conduit 22 which is preferably secured to the lower side of the tone arm 3 as by means of brackets 23 and screws 24. As shown, one of thebrackets 23 may be formed as a part of a downwardly projecting stop member 25 provided for operating the trip mechanism of the talking machine.

Fig. 4 illustrates another form of carrying arm which may be employed to support the pick-up device 8, wherein the leads 18 may be permanently connected to suitable contact members which are adapted to engage corresponding contacts on said pickup device when the latter is placed in position. As shown in the drawing, the annular projection 11 is closed at its inner end and has a lateral opening 19 adjacent the latter which communicates with the groove 21. The bottom of the recess within the annular projection 11 is preferably insulated as by means of a disc 26 of any suitable material. The leads 18 may be conducted through the groove 21 and opening 19 into said recess, where they may be suitably connected as by means of solderin to suitable contact members described iereinafter.

In the form shown, a plug 27 of suitable insulating material'is inserted in the recess and secured therein as by means of a screw 28. The inner face or base of said plug preferably rests against the insulating disc 26, and is provided with suitable rooves in which the leads may be housed. xtending from these grooves are suitable openings 29 cut through the plug to the outer face of the latter. Bushings 30, preferably of brass, are fitted in the openings 29, and are provided with inwardly extending shoulders 31 adjacent their inner ends, leaving central openings through which contact pins 32 are adapted to slide. The pins are provided ad'acent their outer ends with shoulders 33 iitting within the bushings 30, and resilient means such as coil springs 34 are interposed between shoulders 31 of the bushings and 33 of the contact pins. These springs normally urge said pins outwardly, and the latter are prevented from disengaging from the bushings -by any suitable means such as washers 35 suitably secured to the inner end of the IDS.

p A plug 36, suitably secured to the neck of the pick-up device 8, as by a screw 37, is adapted to be inserted into the annular projectlon 11, said pick-up device being suitably retained on said projection 11 as by the engagement of said neck therewith. Said lug 36 carries suitable contact members 38 a apted to engage the contact pins 32, and owing to their spring mountings, said pins 32 are adapted at all times to assure a good contact with said pins 38. The electric circuit ofsaid pick-up device is therefore completed automatically by merely mounting said pickup device on its carrying arm.

It will be seen that a talking machine constructed according to the invention may be employed for reproducing a record, either mechanically by means of the sound boy, or electrically by means of the pick-up device, at the option of the operator. By mounting the reproducing mechanisms in the manner disclosed, both styli have the same limit positions in their path of movement, which is of importance in case it is desired to employ repeating or stylus restoring mechanism. Moreover, since both styli engage a record at the same point, the sto mechanism of the machine will be operate by the trip member 25 at the same oint in the playing of the record when eit ier stylus is in use.

Furthermore, by so mounting the two reproducing mechanisms on a sin le swinging member, the necessity for provi ing separate mountings is removed. The use of one swinging arm not only conserves space within the upper compartment of the machine, and thus minimizes any interference with the ready operation of the latter, but also avoids multiplicity of parts and increases the economy and simplicity of construction. Moreover, the two tracking members are so supported that they follow exactly the same are of travel relative to the record, and the same efliciency of reproduction is obtained when either mechanism is in use.

While only two embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the drawings, it will be apparent that the invention is susceptible of a variety of expressions and that changes may be made in the details of construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention. Reference is therefore to be had to the appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

' nected to said tone arm so that they occupy substantially the same playing position.

2. In a talking machine, in combination with a tone arm having a sound box and stylus pivotally mounted thereon, an electrical transmitting device pivotally mounted on said tone arm about an axis angularly related to thepivotal axis of said sound box,

and having a stylus adapted to engage a record when said sound box is in non-playing position, said styli having the same playing position.

3. In a talking machine, in combination, a tone arm, sound reproducing means pivotally mounted thereon, and means pivotally mounted on said tone arm for reproducing sound electrically, each of said means having a stylus and being mounted so that said styli travel in the same path of movement.

4. In a talking machine, in combination, a tone arm, a sound box pivotally mounted on the tone arm and having a stylus, an electrical pick-up device having a stylus, and means for pivoting said pick-up device on said tone arm, said sound box and pick-up device being so mounted on said tone arm that said styli are adapted to travel in the same path of movement.

5. In a talking machine, atone arm, a sound box pivotallysupported thereon and having a stylus for engagement with a record, an armpivotally secured to said tone arm, an electrical transmitting device on said arm, said device having a stylus for engagement with a record, said transmitting device and sound box being so mounted that their respective styli engage the sound groove at the same point when in playing posltion.

6. In a talking machine, a tone arm swingingabout a vertical axis, a sound reproducing mechanism pivoted to said tone arm a out a horizontal axis, and a second sound reproducing mechanism pivoted to said tone arm about a horizontal axis independently of said first-named mechanism, said axes being angularly related, said mechanisms having styli which engage the record groove-at the same point.

7In a'talking machine, a swinging tone arm, a sound box pivoted on said arm about ,an axis transverse to its length, and a magnetic pick-up device pivoted to said arm aboutan fl-XIS transverse thereto, sa1d axes being'laterally spaced so that said sound box and pick-up device have the same playing position.

arm and provided with a stylus, and means for pivoting said carrying arm on said tone arm whereby the stylus of said pick-up device occupies the same playing position as the stylus of said sound box..

10. In a talking machine, a swinging tone arm, a sound box pivotally mounted thereon,

a carrying arm, an electrical pick-up device on said carrying arm, and meansfor pivoting the latter on said tone arm, said carrying arm being provided on its inner face with a longitudinally extending groove for housing a pair of electrical leads.

11. In a talking machine including a tone arm, reproducing means pivotally connected to the tone arm and including a stylus, and means pivotally connected to said tone arm and including a stylus for transmitting sound vibrations electrically, said styli having the same limiting playing positions.

12. In a talking machine, a tone arm, soundreproducing means pivotally mounted thereon, and means pivotally mounted on said tone arm for reproducing a record electrical- 1y, each of said means having a stylus and being pivoted about axes which are so related that said styli have the same limiting playing positions.

13. In a talking machine, .a swinging tone arm, a sound box pivotally mounted thereon and having a stylus, and an electrical pick-up arm, the pivotal axes. of said sound box and pick-up device being so related that said styli are adapted to occupy the same playing position when said tone arm isswung to its limiting position.

In testimony whereof we have signed this specification.- 3 ELDRIDGE R. F. JOHNSON.

SELDEN -T. WILLIAMS. 

